Hydro excavation remote dig system

ABSTRACT

The hydro excavation remote dig system provides for a primary and secondary dig tube attachments that permit a vacuum truck to be used for a remote dig setup. Specifically, the attachments include various attachable handles, corrugated tubing that connects to a reinforcement bar device with releasable clamps to maintain the corrugated tubing in an elongated state during use, a debris box with an integrated safety valve, and a dig tip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of dig tube attachments forvacuum trucks.

2. Description of Related Art

Various vacuum units and systems have been developed and used forpicking up various types of material. In specific applications, forexample, vacuum units have been used for excavation, for example, whereremoval of the excavated material was difficult to accomplish by othermethods or where the excavation had to take place where damage toequipment, such as buried equipment, was a significant risk ifalternative methods of excavation were used. Further, relatively largevacuum units have been mounted on a truck, and vacuum trucks have beendriven to sites where excavation has been needed or where materialneeded to be picked up. For example, vacuum trucks have been used toexcavate around buried utilities such as pipelines buried in the ground,where shutting down the pipeline would be a significant detriment, whereexcavation with other means, such as a back hoe, would have a greaterrisk of damaging the buried utility or pipeline, impose a safety risk toworkers, or a combination thereof.

Still further, water has been used to break up material (e.g., earth) atan excavation site where the material is being picked up by a vacuumunit or system. Water systems have been mounted on vacuum trucks forthis purpose, and have included, among other things, a water tank, waterpump, water conduit that extends to the excavation site, and a waternozzle that is hand guided at the excavation site by an operator. Vacuumtrucks with water systems have been referred to as hydrovac trucks, forexample. Even further, air has been used to excavate material as areplacement for excavation water. Further still, excavation systems thatused water often resulted in the material becoming overly wet (e.g.,mud) which has made the material poorly suited to use immediately tobackfill the excavation site when the work that required the excavationwas completed. On the other hand, excavation systems that used air oftencreated excessive dust and were not as effective as water at excavatingcertain types of material. Needs and potential for benefit orimprovement exist for vacuum units and vacuum trucks that overcome theseand other deficiencies of the prior art.

Current attempts have been made to address the needs of vacuum truckoperators.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,422 to Crumpler describes a plastic corrugateddrainage pipe comprising a handle and a flexible conduit. The handle hasa connector at its one end and is removably connected with a watersupply pipe by the connector.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,188 to Rinker describes an excavator for suctionmaterial, particularly for removing soil from underground pipes. Theexcavator has a pneumatic elephant trunk for removing the suctionedmaterial and which issues into a storage tank for the suctioned materialand to which is connected an exhaust fan.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,472 to Gipperich describes a reinforced flexiblecorrugated tubing comprising a plurality of corrugations and connectingmembers.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,439 describes a suction dredge for the plannedtaking up of suction material, particularly for excavating soil fromunderground pipes, has a pneumatic suction hose for taking up thesuction material and at whose lower end is provided a suction stub. Atits opposite, upper end the suction hose issues into a collecting tank.To simplify the handling of the suction stub, it is provided with aguide body fitted to the suction hose and a suction nozzle axiallymovable relative thereto and which by means of a drive mechanism can beretracted into and extended from the guide body.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,626 to Schafer describes a corrugated pipeconnection stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing a joint between twosections of corrugated pipe. A first section of corrugated pipe isassociated with a second section to form a joint.

EP20070107541 to Baumann describes a suction device for a handheldelectrical tool and handheld electrical tool with suction device

U.S. Pat. No. 8,858,124 to Lamonte describes an excavation system whichutilizes a vacuum truck having a vacuum system in combination with asmall backhoe to which an excavator assembly is affixed to the backhoeextendable and articulating arm whereby manipulation of the excavatorassembly can be controlled by an operator positioned in the backhoeoperator cab.

PCT/NO2004/000255 to Jacobsen describes a subsea excavation and suctiondevice comprising a suction head with an inlet opening at an outer, freeend and an outlet opening connected to a suction hose arranged at adistance from the inlet opening. The suction head is mounted on ahydraulic controller arm and has at the inlet opening provided withmechanic and hydraulic means to disintegrate solid material (sediment).

The foregoing prior art does not describe the present invention.

The current invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art.This includes: (1) A reinforcement bar device with releasable clampswhich maintains the corrugated tubing in elongated state during use toprevent the accordion effect; (2) A dig tip rock guard which preventslarge rocks from being sucked up into the corrugated tubing; (3) Adebris box with a safety valve which collects debris and prevents debrisfrom entering the vacuum truck; and, (4) various attachable handlespermit secure handling of dig tube attachment during use.

The current invention fundamentally involves a dig tube attachment thatpermits a vacuum truck to be used for a remote dig setup. Specifically,the attachment includes various attachable handles, corrugated tubingthat connects to a reinforcement bar device with releasable clamps tomaintain the corrugated tubing in an elongated state during use, adebris box with an integrated safety valve, and a dig tip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary attachment at the distal end of a vacuum truck hose,consisting of

a. at least one handle,

b. a shutter relief valve,

c. a clamp,

d. at least one assembly bar, and

e. a vacuum tip.

A secondary attachment along the length of the vacuum truck hose,consisting of

a. a debris box door

b. a safety handle

c. a grate, and

d. at least one bar hook.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, willbe apparent from the following, more particular description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objectsand advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuingdescriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings brieflydescribed as follows.

FIG. 1 is a general overview of the interaction of the invention with avacuum truck, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overview of the primary attachment as assembled, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of the adaptor, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4. is a view of the handles, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5A is a lateral view of the shutter relief valve, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a vertical-diagonal view of the shutter relief valve,according to an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 6 is a view of the clamp, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a view of the vacuum tip, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a view of the secondary attachment, a debris box, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a view of the assembly bar short segment, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a view of the assembly bar short segment while employed inthe invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view of the tube junction adaptor, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view of the tube junction adaptor while employed in theinvention, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view of an adjustable latch, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view of a fixed latch, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a view of a snap pin, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a view of a securement structure, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages maybe understood by referring to FIGS. 1-15, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like elements.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

Reference is made to the figures of the invention included herein. Adetailed description of the figures follows below.

Vacuum Truck

It is envisioned that the invention can articulate with any standardindustry vacuum truck used by people of ordinary skill in the art tosuction a liquid into the vacuum truck. The vacuum truck provides apressurize liquid flow through the corrugated hoses or tubes. Whenarticulated with the invention, this vacuum pressure suctions the liquidflow through the invention from the distal end of the primary attachmentto its proximal end. In a preferred embodiment, the pressurized liquidflow would then also travel through the secondary attachment. It is alsoenvisioned that the vacuum pressure of the invention will withstand thetypical vacuum pressure utilized by people of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 1 is a general overview of the interaction between the primaryattachment (1), a secondary attachment (i.e., debris box_(2), and avacuum truck (3), according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It is envisioned that the invention can articulate with any standardindustry vacuum hose (5) commonly used with vacuum trucks. Such vacuumhoses vary by manufacturer but are typically corrugated tubing or pipe.They generally have an internal lumen diameter of between 6-8 incheswhile their outside structural diameters are generally 7-9½ inches wide.

It is envisioned that the secondary attachment (i.e., debris box) (2)would articulate with the vacuum hose at point proximal from the primaryattachment (1) along the length of the vacuum hose and closer to thevacuum truck (3).

As a vacuum truck operator (4) would realize, the primary attachmentarticulates at the distal end of a vacuum hose (6).

Primary Attachment, as Assembled

FIG. 2 is an overview of the assembled primary attachment according toan embodiment of the present invention. This includes the adaptor (7)(also shown in detail in FIG. 3), three examples of handles (8) (alsoshown in FIG. 4), the shutter relief valve (9) (also shown in FIG. 5Aand FIG. 5B), the clamp (10) (also shown in FIG. 6), assembly bars (11)(also shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B), and the vacuum tip (12) (also shown inFIG. 7).

In a preferred embodiment, the i primary attachment attaches toflexible, ridged tubing commonly used in vacuum excavation dig systems.Specifically, the adaptor connects with the distal end of the flexibletubing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adaptor of the primaryattachment connects directly to ribbed flexible tubing or pipe.

In a preferred embodiment, the secondary attachment (i.e., debris box)(2) (also shown in FIG. 8) connects with flexible tubing proximal to theadaptor as depicted in FIG. 1.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal lumen of theprimary attachment is about 6-8 inches while the diameter of the outsidestructure is about 7-9½ inches. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the internal lumen of the primary attachment is about 6inches while the diameter of the outside structure is about 7 inches.

Assembly Bars

The invention employs a series of lengthwise bars to hold all thecomponents of the primary attachment in place. The lengthwise bars notonly enable stability of the primary attachment, but provide places forthe operator to hold the primary attachment.

These bars also assist in maintaining the rigidity in the flexibletubes, otherwise at vacuum pressure, the flexible tubing would compresstogether, much the way an accordion does under compression.

These bars are demonstrated throughout the exemplary figures of theinvention. For instance, they are exhibited as Item (11) in FIG. 2. Ashort segment of the assembly bar are depicted in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B.In particular, Item (48) of FIG. 9A depicts the body of a short segmentof an assembly bar and Item (49) depict holes for snap pins to securethe short segment with other assembly bars. FIG. 9B depicts the use ofan assembly bar short segment. In particular, Item (50) represents adistal long segment of an assembly bar, Item (51) represents a longsegment of a proximal long segment of an assembly bar, Item (52)represents a vacuum hose tube, and item 53 represents a snap pin whichsecures these items together.

Preferably, the lengthwise bars have evenly spaced holes so that all thecomponents can be pinned anywhere along the bar to meet the desires ofthe operator. In a preferred embodiment, these lengthwise bars are steel1 inch square tubing with holes 1½ inches apart on center the entirelength of the bar.

Adaptor

Reference is made to FIG. 3, which is a view of the adaptor thatconnects the corrugated tubing from the vacuum truck with the rest ofthe primary attachment.

As depicted in FIG. 3, (13) is the base of the adaptor while (14) is theinner ring, which goes inside the corrugated pipe.

In a preferred embodiment, (13) is roughly 10½″ in diameter.

In a preferred embodiment, (14) is approximately 5 13/16″ in diameterand 4″ in height to the adaptor base (13).

Further, items (15), (16), (17), and (18) are connection assemblies thatsecure in place the distal of end of the corrugated pipe (6), theadaptor (7), and the assembly bars (11).

Item (15) is a right securement assembly. Item (16) is a left securementassembly. Both (15) and (16) are secured to the adaptor base plate (13),but are secured 180′ apart from one another. Both items (15) and (16)are approximately 3″ high and have holes corresponding to the holes inthe right securement structure (17) and the left securement structure(18), respectively.

As depicted in FIG. 3, item (17) depicts an unattached securementstructure while (18) depicts securement structure attached to the leftsecurement assembly (16). Item (19) depicts the left securement pinwhich is a metal pin that threads the holes to secure in place the fullassembly.

In a preferred embodiment, both items (17) and (18) are each about 3″long and composed of 1″ tube steel.

Although not depicted in FIG. 3, it should be understood that (18) wouldhave the same dimensions as (17), but only differ in their depictedattachment to the adaptor.

Although not depicted in FIG. 3, it should be understood that whileassembling the invention, the operator would connect item (17) with item(15) to fully secure the adaptor in place. Likewise, there would be aright securement pin, which corresponds to (19), to secure the adaptorin place.

Further, item (20) depicts a first hole in the right securementstructure and item (21) depicts a second hole in the right securementstructure. In a preferred embodiment, (20) and (21) are roughly 13/32″in diameter and spaced 1½″ in apart on center.

Further, item (22) depicts a securement prong in the right securementstructure while item (23) depicts a securement prong in the leftsecurement structure. In a preferred embodiment, both item (22) and (23)are each about 5″ in length and made from ¼″ steel round bar.

While assembling the invention, the operator would connect item (17)with item (15) to fully secure the adaptor in place. Likewise, therewould be a right securement pin, which corresponds to (19), to securethe adaptor in place.

Specifically, the operator would use items (17) and (18) to pin theadaptor in place with the corrugated pipe.

Handles

Reference is made to FIG. 4, which is a view of the various possiblehandles that one of skill in the art can use in the invention. One ofskill in the art can select from a number of handles. Of centralimportance is the connection holes at the base of the handles, whichallow securement to the extensor bars (11). In a preferred embodiment,the handles are made of steel.

Non-limiting examples of such handles are included in FIGS. 4A-4F.

FIG. 4A depicts a front view of a rounded handle.

FIG. 4B depicts a side view of rounded handle.

FIG. 4C depicts a front view of a triangular handle.

FIG. 4D depicts a side view of a rectangular handle.

FIG. 4E depicts a side view of a T-handle.

FIG. 4F depicts a side view of an L-handle.

Shutter Relief Valve

FIG. 5A is a lateral view of the shutter relief valve, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a vertical-diagonal view of the shutter relief valve,according to an embodiment of the present invention

The shutter relief valve is used in reduction, distribution, andconveying vacuum pressure during the operation of the invention. Inparticular, it diverts vacuum pressure from the vacuum tip through theshutters when the shutters are open.

As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, Item (30) depicts shutters that extendalong the longitudinal axis of the shutter relief valve. In a preferredembodiment, the shutters are about 5-6″ long and 1 to 1½″ wide. Theseare opened and closed to optimize air intake to divert vacuum pressurefrom the vacuum tip (12) of FIG. 2 through the shutters using thelinkage, depicted as Item (27). Specifically, item (27) is a linkagethat pins together both sides of the shutter relief to close the valve.Item 31 is a shutter linkage arm which connects these together. Duringoperation, the operator can push (26) inward to open the shutter valveor pull (26) out to close the shutter valve.

Item (24) depicts the body of the shutter relief valve.

Item (25) depicts the Shutter Relief Valve attachment structures thatenable connection between the shutter relief valve to the assembly bars(11). In a preferred embodiment, Item (25) contains holes that match theassembly bars, which allows securement with two snap pins.

Item (26) depicts a removable section of securement structure.

Item (28) depicts the distal end of the shutter relief valve while Item(29) depicts the proximal end of the shutter relief valve. Both Item(28) and (29) fit into the corrugated pipe or tubing. In a preferredembodiment, at the ends of the shutter relief valve (28) and (29), thediameter of the shutter relief valve (24) is the same diameter as theinside of the pipe or tubing.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the body of the shutterrelief valve (24) is the same diameter as the outside diameter of thecorrugated pipe or tubing.

In a preferred embodiment, the overall length of the body of the shutterrelief valve (24) is 12-15 inches long.

In a preferred embodiment, the shutter relief valve is made of steel oraluminum.

Clamp

FIG. 6 is a view of the clamp, according to the invention.

As used herein, the clamp has several purposes. First, it attaches tothe hose to separate pieces of tubing together or to connect to thetubing to hook a bar to the clamp. This seals the hose when connectingtwo tubes together. Second, it enables it to be used as a handle tomanipulate the end of the tubing for digging. Third, it can also be usedto hook to the bar using two clamps to keep the tubing from flexingunder vacuum. The clamp is not intended to be too tight that it eitherprevents backflow or obstructs the flow of materials through the tubing.

As shown in FIG. 6, Item (32) is the outer clamp ring. Item (33) is theconnection for the bar hooks to clamp. Item (34) is the snap pin. Item(35) is the catch pull down latch or an adjustable toggle clamp latch.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer clamp ring is 3″ in width.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection for the bar hooks are 3″ longand are spaced 1½ inches apart on center.

In a preferred embodiment, the snap pin is ⅜″ in diameter and is 1¼″long.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamp can be made of steel or aluminum.

Further, where 8″ corrugated tube or pipe is used for the invention,these measurements would remain the same.

Vacuum Tip

FIG. 7 is a view of the vacuum tip, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The vacuum tip allows for a softer digging and excavation withoutdamaging utility lines or other underground objects that must beprotected. Such utility lines include, but is not limited to, sewerpipes, telephone lines, electric lines, internet lines, fiber-opticcables, and the like. Item (36) represents the proximal end of thevacuum tip.

The vacuum tip is composed of a vacuum tip core (Item (37)) and a vacuumtip cover (Item (38).

The vacuum tip core is made of any durable utility metal, but in apreferred embodiment, it is made of steel or aluminum.

The vacuum tip cover is a durable but replaceable unit to prevent thedamage to underground objects. The vacuum tip cover is attached to thevacuum tip core by a series of bolts (Item (39). In a preferredembodiment, there are four bolts, spaced evenly around the circumferenceof the vacuum tip cover.

During the course of digging or excavation, abrasive hard materials suchas dirt, sand, and stone are vacuumed into the remote hydro excavationsystem. Over time, these materials will wear against the vacuum tipcover and it needs to be replaced. For that reason, it is preferred thatthe vacuum tip cover be made of a firm, but slightly flexible material,such as rubber or plastic.

In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum tip core is approximately 4-5inches from the top lip to the middle lip and approximately 3-4 inchesfrom the bottom lip to the middle lip.

Item (40) depicts connections for the bar hooks to the vacuum tip core.

Secondary Attachment (Debris Box)

FIG. 8 is a view of the debris box, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The debris box is a rectangular box with cylindrical attachments at thelongitudinal ends to attach to the corrugated tube.

As depicted in FIG. 8, item (41) is a debris box door. Item (42) is asafety handle that can open the debris door by pushing it forward orbackward to open the door to relieve vacuum pressure and is used toremove debris that is too big to fit through the tubing. Item (43) is agrate or bar to prevent to large of debris from going further than thebox and potentially clogging the tubing. This grate can be adjusteddepending on size of debris. Item (44) represents connection for barhooks to the debris box. Item (45) is the distal end of the debris box.Item (45) is the debris box body. Item (46) is the proximal end of thedebris box.

Generally, the box prevents debris larger than 5″ from entering throughthe corrugated tubing. With vacuumed ore, debris enters from the distalend of the debris box (47). Item (43) prevents larger debris fromexiting the debris box through its proximal end (46).

In a preferred embodiment, the debris box door (41) is roughly 12-15″long.

In a preferred embodiment, the debris box is made of steel or aluminum.

Tube Junction Adaptor

FIG. 10 is a view of the tube junction adaptor, according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 depicts the tube junctionadaptor as employed in the invention.

The purpose of the tube junction adaptor is to secure togethercorrugated vacuum hose tubing of different sizes.

The tube junction adaptor is composed of an adaptor plate (54), asecurement assembly of the junction adaptor for a large tube (55), asecurement assembly of the junction adaptor for a small tube (56), asmall articulating cylinder (57), and a large articulating cylinder(58).

It should be understood that Item (56) in FIG. 11 also shows Item (17)from FIG. 3 with snap pins.

As the junction adaptor is employed, Item (59) represents a smallervacuum tube and Item (60) represents a larger vacuum tube.

Other Securements

FIG. 12 is a view of a commercially available adjustable latch which canbe used to secure the pieces of the primary attachment.

FIG. 13 is a view of a commercially available fixed latch which can beused to secure the pieces of the primary attachment.

FIG. 14 is a view of a commercially available snap pin which can be usedto secure the pieces of the primary attachment.

FIG. 15 is a view of a securement structure which can be used to securethe pieces of the primary attachment. As depicted, Item (61) representsthe securement assembly of the securement structure, Item (62)represents the right securement prong of the securement structure, andItem (63) represents the left securement prong of the securementstructure.

I claim:
 1. A primary attachment at the distal end of a vacuum truckhose, consisting of a. at least one handle, b. a shutter relief valve,c. a clamp, d. at least one assembly bar, and e. a vacuum tip.
 2. Asecondary attachment along the length of the vacuum truck hose,consisting of a. a debris box door b. a safety handle c. a grate, and d.at least one bar hook.